Belfast Giants sign US forward

The 30-year-old forward, who was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in Round 5 of the 2003 NHL draft, is being hailed as a player who can speed and grit to the side.McCutcheon has played 145 games in the AHL, before spending the last four seasons in Europe.His time there included two years with HC Bolzano, helping them win the Italian Supercup and the Italian National Championship.His last season was spent with Norwegian side Valerenga and Danish side Aalborg."He's a player I've been speaking to for quite a while," Steve Thornton said."He's a complete player, he'll get stuck in and will make players around him better."He's a winner who led his team in Italy to a championship. He thinks the game well and he's guy who we were really keen on bringing to Belfast."McCutcheon is also the son of former NHL player and coach Brian McCutcheon.The Giants will kick-off their 15th season at the end of this month with back-to-back friendlies against Cardiff Devils - starting with a home game at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday 30 August.The pre-season clashes could prove interesting as the Devils are now owned by a consortium which includes former Giants GM Todd Kelman.The sides will meet again in Cardiff on Sunday 31 August, before the season proper gets underway for the Giants with an away league and cup game against Dundee Stars on Friday 5 September.Welcome to Belfast..Mark McCutcheon! Mark will add size & grit to the Giants offense & will wear #21! #Giants15pic.twitter.com/VxrvIZcyH9— Belfast Giants (@BelfastGiants) August 5, 2014